2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive styling, avoiding the temptation to mimic its rivals. It carried forward the sharp design language of the Navigator, characterized by crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the air of class and luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, despite being fully loaded, did not visually distinguish itself from a standard rental car. The interior was stylish and functional, though quality varied with a mix of impressive materials and hard plastics. The RAV4 Hybrid offered decent rear-seat legroom and practical storage solutions, but it lacked the upscale feel of the Aviator.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator provided robust acceleration and a smooth ride, though it exhibited noticeable body roll in corners and was awkward to maneuver in tight spaces.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors, generating 219 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain offered lively acceleration, though the engine sounded unpleasant when revved. The RAV4 Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 40 mpg in combined driving. Its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid handled well on roads, though its tires lacked grip in corners.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially with captain's chairs, offered excellent comfort and control options. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front cushions, and decent rear-seat legroom. The dashboard was well-organized, with large climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment controls. Storage solutions were practical, with useful shelves and cupholders.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to use, with a sensible menu layout and redundant controls. The Aviator also offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Our test vehicle had an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs for easy control. Toyota also offered a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The Hybrid Limited trim added rear automatic braking. TSS 2.0 was generally effective, though the lane-centering assistance and adaptive cruise control had some quirks. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and top marks from IIHS, except for its headlights.